Elizabeth was born in England to parents William and Mary Ann Massey. While living in Northern Queensland she met and married Antonio Spain, a master pearler of Filipino descent. Elizabeth and Antonio had at least five children in Queensland before they moved to the Territory in about 1894. In 1895 Elizabeth was one of the 82 Northern Territory women who enrolled to vote after the franchise was granted to South Australian and Territory women in 1894. She had just turned 29 and registered at Palmerston; her occupation was listed as "married woman". Elizabeth and Antonio had a total of 13 children, however 7 of their sons died young. By 1901, at 39, Antonio was a barber with a thriving business and Elizabeth was the caretaker for the Church of England, she also catered many of the town's social functions. Elizabeth and Antonio were prominent members of Port Darwin society with thriving businesses. Elizabeth had a booksellers and newsagency located on the Esplanade and Antonio had his barber shop and billiard's table licence in premises on Cavanagh Street. Antonio died aged 64 in July 1926 at the family residence on Wood Street. Elizabeth remained in Darwin until war broke out; she was evacuated to Brisbane, where she died at age 85.,
Subject
Northern Territory,
Suffrage,
History,
Women,
Related materials
James, Barbara. Occupation, citizen : the story of Northern Territory women and the vote (1894-96). Darwin : B. James, c1995.
NTC 324.623 JAME,
Related links
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23153115 ["Interview with Tourists." The Queenslander, Thursday 27 October 1932, p.34.],
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22009029 ["Marella Passengers." The Brisbane Courier, Saturday 22 October 1932, p.22.],
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48024091 ["Family Notices." Northern Standard, Friday 23 July 1926, p.2.],
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49479382 ["Queen of Darwin." Northern Standard, Friday 6 April 1951, p.5.],
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article62972279 ["Darwin notes." Townsville Daily Bulletin, Tuesday 4 February 1936, p.10.],